The Relationship between Social Media Use and Academic Interest in IT among College Students at SMCBI (St. Mary's College of Bansalan, Inc)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between social media usage and academic interest in Information Technology (IT) among students at SMCBI. Specifically, it evaluates how different aspects of social media use—academic, entertainment, and socialization—impact students' emotional, cognitive, and behavioral engagement with IT-related topics. A quantitative correlational research design explored the interaction between social media engagement and academic motivation in IT. The study was conducted at the Municipality of Bansalan, focusing on students enrolled in IT courses during the academic year 2023-2024. A stratified random sampling technique was used with 200 respondents from diverse academic years and genders. Data were collected using a structured Likert-scale survey, measuring social media usage and academic interest in IT across various dimensions. Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analyses were employed to identify relationships and predictive factors, while reliability tests ensured the validity of the research instrument. The findings revealed a strong positive correlation between social media usage and academic interest in IT (r = 0.647, P < 0.001). Among the dimensions of social media use, academic (P = 0.030), entertainment (P < 0.001), and socialization (P = 0.001) significantly influenced IT interest, collectively accounting for 41.40% of the variance. Descriptive statistics showed high engagement in academic (mean = 3.88) and entertainment (mean = 3.80) uses of social media. Students demonstrated strong academic interest in IT, particularly in its value (mean = 4.25) and emotional engagement (mean = 4.14). Social media usage positively influences students' interest in IT, with the highest impact observed in academic and entertainment contexts. Institutions like SMCBI can leverage these findings to integrate social media into teaching strategies, fostering IT-related engagement while addressing students' practical IT knowledge gaps. Future research should explore additional factors influencing IT interest to deepen understanding and optimize educational outcomes.